The Poster Girl arrives & the Opening Ceremony

In 2008, Michael Phelps was the US Olympic Team poster boy. For 2010, the US Olympic Team has a poster girl. Her name is Lindsey Vonn. Last week I contributed to a profile piece on Lindsey Vonn as part of CTV’s Olympic coverage. She was on the cover of Sports Illustrated and is featured in the much hailed Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue – those images were just released today, click here to see. She is favoured to win gold, competing in all 5 alpine events, and of course is a sponsor’s dream.

Vonn is photogenic, she has spark and personality, she has heart, she’s demonstrated courage, and she has SKILL. They say there is crossover appeal, one of those athletes who can excel in her discipline but who also exudes the elusive “it”.

Here’s Vonn arriving in Vancouver today with her husband Thomas to begin preparing for the Games. The Opening Ceremony is 72 hours away...! I’ll be posting more on the Games and the events tomorrow. But first – the dress rehearsal (with an audience) for the Opening Ceremony went down last night.

You want to know? SPOILER ALERT.

LOOK AWAY NOW IF YOU CAN’T HANDLE IT.

SPOILER ALERT.

LOOK AWAY NOW.

LOOK AWAY NOW.

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I’m told that while there was a stand-in stood in for him, a Bryan Adams track was played. Sarah McLachlan performed beautifully for the audience. And then there were candles. And it was quiet. And a piece by Leonard Cohen, our very Canadian Leonard Cohen, a piece many of you are familiar with now, Hallelujah, could be heard with no vocals.

Who could possibly be performing Hallelujah?

Coincidence or conspiracy: Celine Dion will sing this song on Oprah tomorrow with the Canadian Tenors. Obviously we won’t know for sure about La Dion until Friday night. But it’s hard to imagine an Opening Ceremony without her. I mean, please.